DARTS: No stopping the Dogsthorpe ‘Harbour master’

Alan Swann

Dogsthorpe man Dennis Harbour is through to the quarter-finals of the BDO World Championships after a stunning win over number 10 seed Martin Phillips tonight (January 6)

Harbour thumped Phillips 4-1 after winning nine of the first 10 legs at the Lakeside Country Club in his first appearance in the finals for a decade. The 54-year-old is now through to the quarter-finals for the first time in his lenghty career.

Harbour had already knocked out number seven seed Daryl Fitton on a deciding leg in his first round match, but he insists he is capable of much better.

The Cambs County star’s methodical style served him well as he took the opening three legs against Phillips 3-1, 3-0 and 3-0.

Phillips, who converted just one of his first 15 attempts at a finishing double, improved to race through the fourth set 3-0, but Harbour held his nerve to hold his throw throughout the fifth set to claim a 3-2 win. Harbour closed out the match with his first attempt at a double 16.

“I can’t grumble, I’m really happy,” Harbour stated.

“I played okay. I did enough to win, that’s all.

“I was suprised at how Martin played. He hit a lot of low scores and I was able to capitalise.

“I’m a steady player. I always have been. I do my own thing and if the quicker players can’t handle it, then tough.

“It’s unbelievable to be through to the quarter-finals. It will be great darts from now on.”

Harbour now meets Canadian Jeff Smith, the conqueror of Deeping-based second seed Martin Adams, in the quarter-finals on Friday (January 8).